Conspiracy in the Clades Variana?Sallustian echoes in VelleiusPaterculus’ Historiae, 2.117-118

It has long been recognized that Velleius Paterculus’ Historiae draws upon the style and themes in Sallust’s writings (Woodman 1969). Few, however, have explored the relationship between Velleius and Sallust beyond illuminating similarities in language. Using Velleius’ narration of the tragic slaughter of Roman troops in the Teutoburg forest in AD 9, commonly known as the clades Variana (2.117-120), as an example, I argue that Velleius’ references to Sallust—particularly thosein Velleius’ account of the calamity’s causa—display more than mere appreciation for Sallustian style.

The Sallustian echoes in the clades Variana suggest that in narrating Arminius and his plot against the complacent Varus Quintilius, Velleius draws on themes and ideas present in the earlier historian’s monographs about Catiline and Jugurtha, wherein a fierce but charismatic noble sets himself against Rome. By borrowing from Sallust’s monographs this episode, wherein Varus’ greed, corruption, and poor leadership lead to the devastating slaughter of Roman troops, reminds Velleius’ audience not only of the forces that weakened Rome toward the end of the Republic—a theme that Sallust dramatizes in his works—but also of Velleius’ portrait of Tiberius as a true leader.

The first part of my paper highlights three Sallustian echoes within Velleius’ account of the causes for the Varian disaster: first, Velleius’ characterization of Varus (2.117.2) echoes not only Sallust’s depiction of the decidedly unbellicose Adherbal(Jug.20.2) but also aspects of Sallust’s criticism of the ruling elite during the end of the Republic (e.g., Cat.52.22); second, I discuss the depiction of Arminius (2.118.2), who shares characteristics with Sallust’s Cethegus (Cat.43.4) and Catiline (Cat.61.4); and third, I highlight Velleius’ comment on how fortune blinded Varus from the truth of the conspiracy that Segestes revealed (2.118.4), which echoesa sentiment found in Caesar’s speech in the Bellum Catilinae (51.26).

In the second part of my paper I discuss the significance of these three echoes. Here, I argue that Velleius uses Sallustian parallels not merely to give the episode a Sallustian color, but also to frame the episode as a repeat of past plots against Rome. The conspiratorial tone of the causa harkens back to a period when Rome was repeatedly on the edge of destruction because of the indolence of those in power. Furthermore, through these echoes Velleius not only gives his audience a sense of déjà vu but also uses Sallust’s pessimistic view of Rome to create an even starker contrast between Varus’ incompetence and Tiberius’ skill as a leader.

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